Man cited after his dogs attacked neighbors' livestock

The owner of three dogs accused of attacking a neighbor's goats received eight citations from Lee County Domestic Animal Services, according to a report.

Wednesday, May 23rd 2018, 8:38 pm EDT by Cristina Mendez

The owner of three dogs accused of attacking a neighbor's goats received eight citations from Lee County Domestic Animal Services, according to a report.

Jake Hutto was cited for "animals running at large" and "menacing behavior."

According to the report, the dogs became loose from their outdoor kennel twice in one week.

The report said on May 14, DAS received a call about three dogs attacking several goats in a pasture.

Tara Lowman and her daughter, the family who owns the goats, told investigators that an umbrella was used to try to fend off the dogs.

"On the first occasion, we intentionally did not use lethal force. And we made sure the dogs were protected, and we protected the goats," said Caleb Lowman, Tara's husband.

Five days later, DAS received another call about "aggressive canines" who were accused of attacking the neighbor's goats again.

This time, the dogs allegedly killed two goats and injured another.

In the report, Hutto's girlfriend's mother, Carrie Heminger, told investigators that the "canines had to be taken from their property" and that "it was staged."

Over the phone, Heminger said the report is misleading and that the family of the dogs plans to meet with the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

Caleb Lowman said he had to protect not only the goats but his family from the dogs and used lethal force.

"I want people to understand that the use of deadly force is not something that is in anyway what anybody wants to experience. And that having this happen was just as damaging to my family as it was his," said Caleb Lowman.

In the report, an investigator said the dog owners were educated about the Florida State Statue "good defense for killing a dog" and were informed that their canines were on someone else's property.

The statute explains that if there is "satisfactory proof that a dog had been or was killing any animal, including domestic animals and livestock" it is justifiable for "any person killing or injuring a dog."